Cable splice protector

ABSTRACT

A sleeve for protecting a cable splice is composed of at least two elongated shell sections having abutting sealing faces and being composed of synthetic plastic material. Longitudinal grooves are provided in the sealing faces and permanently plastomeric sealing material is accommodated in these grooves. Moisture barrier means is embedded in the shell sections in form of a foil, preferably a compound foil of metal to which thermoplastic material is adhered.

United States Patent Quante et a1.

[451 Jan. 18, 1972 CABLE SPLICE PROTECTOR Hermann Quante; Peter Neumann,both of Wuppertal; Walter Rose, Dahl, all of Germany Inventors:

Assignees: Firma Wilhelm Quante, WuppertaLElberfeld; Firma Walter RoseKG, Hagen, Germany Filed: Nov. 10, 1970 Appl. No.: 88,330

Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 23, 1970 Germany ..P 20 19 543.1Nov. 11, 1969 Germany ..P 19 56 570.9

11.8. C1. ..l74/92, 174/21 R, 174/77 R,

174/88 Int. Cl. ..H02g 15/08 Field of Search ..174/9l-93, 88 R,

174/77 R, 21 R, 22 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS3,236,934 2/1966 Revelle et al ..174/22 R 3,271,505 9/1966 Dellett eta1. ...l74/92 X 3,466,384 9/ l 969 Martin 174/92 Primary ExaminerDarrellL. Clay Attorney-Michael S. Striker [5 7] ABSTRACT A sleeve forprotecting a cable splice is composed of at least two elongated shellsections having abutting sealing faces and being composed of syntheticplastic material. Longitudinal grooves are provided in the sealing facesand permanently plastomeric sealing material is accommodated in thesegrooves. Moisture barrier means is embedded in the shell sections inform of a foil, preferably a compound foil of metal to whichthermoplastic material is adhered.

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sum 5 OF 6 Heuum 670,4? Peru 0:00:4 mun Que- CAME SPLHCE PROTECTORBACKGROUND OF THE lNVENTlON The present invention relates generally tocable splice protectors, and more particularly to cable spliceprotectors composed of two or more shell sections.

Where cables are spliced, regardless of what type of cable is involved,it is necessary to protect the splice against deleterious influences,not only of a mechanical nature but also in so far as the intrusion ofmoisture is concerned. Of course, there are many different types ofcables for many different purposes, and these accordingly are made withmany different types of insulators and jackets for the conductors. Also,the different locations where a splice is to be locatedthat is buried inthe ground, exposed in the air, located in a junction box, etc.--dictatethe use of various different types of cable splice protectors. It isfrequently necessary in practice to use two different types ofprotectors one of which surrounds the other in order to obtain with onethe requisite mechanical protection and with the other the necessaryprotection against the intrusion of moisture.

For instance it is known to use-where metallic-jacketed cable withpaper-insulated conductors is used-to employ one-piece longitudinallyslotted lead sleeves which accommodate the cable splice in theirinterior and which are soldered to the metallic jacket of the cable attheir opposite ends as well as along their longitudinal slot. This is aprotection against the intrusion of moisture. However, the mechanicalprotection afforded by this construction is very inadequate andtherefore, if for instance the thus-protected splice is to be buried inthe ground, an additional cable splice protector usually consisting ofcast iron is placed about the lead sleeve to provide the requisitemechanical protection. The cast iron protector is composed oflongitudinal shell sections which are so sealed when they are placedinto abutment, by means of hemp cords, that the space between the innersurface of the cast iron protector and the outer surface of the leadsleeve can be filled with a compound-usually on a bituminous basis whichis poured in through an opening that is subsequently closed. With thisconstruction mechanical damaging of the lead sleeve by external forcesis avoided, as is mechanical damage due to entering moisture whichsubsequently freezes. The hemp sealing ropes prevent the bituminousmass-which is heated to approximately 150 and has low viscosity at thistemperaturefrom running out until such time as it has cooled down andagain becomes highly viscous where this running-out danger no longerexists.

However, it has been found that the rather good protection afforded asplice with this construction, is exceedingly expensive in terms of thematerials required and the necessary installation. if, on the otherhand, one omits the lead sleeve and uses only the cast-iron protector,the protection afforded against the intrusion of moisture to the cablesplice becomes inadequate. The reason for this is that the hemp sealingcords extend only along the longitudinal sides of the sleeve and therather large inlet and outlet openings for the cable-which must be largebecause it must be capable of accommodating differently dimensionedcables-can be filled and closed only with a winding of textile, paper orthe like which is impregnated with sealing compound. This is inadequate.

If cable splices are to be protected on cables having plastic jackets,rather than metallic jackets, other splice protectors are known andused. it is for instance to use windings of synthetic plastic tapes ornonvulcanized rubber tapes, protective sleeves of thermoplasticmaterials, sleeves using hardenable resins and the like. These variouspossibilities can and are frequently also combined in various ways.Their primary consideration is to provide protection against theintrusion of moisture. The use of additional cast-iron outer protectivesleeves can provide additional mechanical protection. However, inplastic-jacketed cables it is frequently found that the spliceprotectors utilized have the disadvantage that any subsequent access tothe splice for the addition of further cable portions thereto, or forthe correction of errors, requires destruction of the protector whichmust subsequently be replaced, thus providing for a significant expensein terms of materials and labor required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, accordingly, an object of the presentinvention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to providean improved cable splice protector which is not possessed of theaforementioned drawbacks.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide such an improvedcable splice protector which can equally well be used for metal-jacketedand plastic-jacketed cables.

In pursuance of the above objects, and others which will become apparenthereafter, one feature of the invention resides in a cable spliceprotector which, briefly stated, comprises a sleeve composed of at leasttwo elongated shell sections having abutting sealing faces and beingcomposed of synthetic plastic material. Longitudinal grooves areprovided in these sealing faces and permanently plastomeric sealingmaterial is accommodated in these grooves for sealing the juncture ofthe shell sections. Moisture barrier means is embedded in the shellsections.

Resort to the present invention greatly simplifies the construction ofthe protector and also its application to the splice. The shell sectionsmay consist of duroplastic synthetic plastic material the surfaces ofwhich may be further protected, if desired, by a protective metalliclayer of powder, applied by galvanizing or sintering or in any othersuitable manner. The term plastomeric as used herein is intended toindicate that the sealing material remains in plastically deformablestate, wherein duroplastic designates durable plastics.

According to the present invention any sleeves or components requiringwelding, casting of resins, and the use of lead are omitted. The wateror moisture barrier according to the present invention may be in form ofa metallic foil combined with a foil of thermoplastic material whichforms a layer construction with the metallic layer.

The protector has an inlet and'an outlet for the cable and two annularsealing elements in the region of the respective inlet and outlet areprovided with centering openings accommodated to the respective outercable diameter and determine in conjunction with recesses or groovesprovided in the inner surfaces of the shell sections and in whichgrooves they are in part accommodated, the width and thickness of thesealing material packing which is to be used in addition at the inletand outlet. The same material which is accommodated in the grooves andis of permanently plastomeric characteristics, is also wound about thecable in form of tapes or ribbons in the region of the inlet and outletto guarantee a watertight and pressuretight sealing of the interior ofthe protector. Air inclusions which may occur as the material is wrappedabout the cables are squeezed out as the two shell sections are unitedto close the protector. Because the sealing material is permanentlyplastomeric, that is remains in plastically deformable state, itssealing efficiency is retained over long periods of time and also theprotector can be opened at any time for access to the splice, and can bereclosed, without damaging the sealing material.

A strain relief is provided for the cable at the respective inlet andoutlet and exerts requisite pressure upon the cable when the protectoris closed.

Sealing and strain relief can be used for all commonly employed types ofmetallic and plastically jacketed cables. if the cables are furtherprovided with an additional outer protection in addition to the jacket,such as wires or metallic strips wound about the exterior of the jacket,then further provision may be made in the protector according to thepresent invention to connect this additional outer armoring with theprotector without having to bend or kink the armoring.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned sideview of one embodiment of the invention with the cable splice beingaccommodated in the novel protector;

FIG. 2 is an end view of one end of the protector shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of one end of a different embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of another embodiment of the inven tion;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of one end of a shell section;

FIG. 6 is a section taken on line A of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a section through a metallic foil used in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a metallic foil shaped and used in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a compound foil according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a section on line B of FIG. 1;

FIG. II is an enlarged view illustrating a detail of the shell sectionin FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS It is pointed out that in allembodiments the protector according to the present invention is a sleevecomposed of two shell sections I and I which are connected with oneanother by means of screw connections 2 utilizing embedded nuts embeddedin the material of the shell sections 1 and I and bolts or threaded rodsconnecting these nuts. The sealing faces 3, 3' of the shell sections I,I are provided with nonillustrated Iongitudinally extending grooveswhich accommodate ropes (also not shown) of permanently plastomericsealing material, a variety of such materials being known to thoseskilled in the art.

In the region of the openings through which the cable passes into andout of the protector, these ropes terminate at and sealingly engageseals 4. The width of seals 4 is determined by elements 5, 5' which arepartially received in grooves 20, and which are of annular configurationso that through their central apertures the correspondingly dimensionedcable 6 can enter into or leave the protector. A supporting ring '7 isprovided and accommodated between the longitudinally slotted cablejacket and the cable core so that the jacket is pressed against theinner wall 8 of the shell sections I, I when the same are united to forma single protective sleeve. The winding 9 surrounds the jacket axiallyadjacent the supporting ring 7 to prevent the slotting of the jacketfrom continuing, that is to prevent the jacket from tearing beyond theregion where the slotting is necessary.

A wire or similar winding It) connects the sheath II with the cable andterminal tapering portions I2 at the opposite ends of the housingsections or shell sections I, I lead the sheath II into a plane I3 inwhich it is fixedly connected with the protector via a clip or similarconnecting element il i. A groove 15 is provided for facilitating readyuse of cutters for shortening the sheath II when necessary.

Projections I6 are provided with tapped bores which accommodategrounding bolts 17 or nipples for pressure-mea suring devices which arenot illustrated. The inner surface of each of the shell sections I, I isprovided with a metallic foil 18 which is connected with bolts 17 ifsuch are provided. Markings or indicia I9 provide indications to showhow far the jackets must be cut on cables having several jackets.

Particularly in the region of the threaded connections 2 the shellsections l and I are provided with abutment faces 34.

Each of the shell sections I and l. has impressed or embedded into it afoil 2F. as a moisture or water-vapor barrier, and the foils 21 extendto the region of the disks 5, 5. The shell sections l and I are ofsynthetic plastic material and may be provided with weather-resistantprotective coatings 33, for instance of polyethylene or an epoxy resin.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2 the sections I and I are each constructedfor two cables 6, but only a single cable is inserted as shown. Thesheath Ell extends to the plane 13 via the tapered end portions I2 andthe clip 14 engages it and retains it. The clip I4 is provided, asshown, with transverse grooves 23 and a threaded bolt 24 to belongitudinally adjustable. A threaded portion 25 is provided in whichthe bolt 24 is turned and which is secured at one end of the tapeconstituting the clip is; and which one end embraces the other end ofthe tape with the transverse grooves or depressions. This is customaryand such devices are commonly known as hose clamps. Slots 26 areprovided in the regions 3, 3' of the shell sections l, I through whichthe clip I4! is inserted. The threaded connections 2 with their nuts areprotected against undesired rotation or turning by means of hexagonalrecesses 27 in portions 27 in which the nuts are located. The recesses27 are covered by washers 35 for the screws or bolts of each connection.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 is provided in the areas 3), 3 withtwo one-sided recesses or pockets 28, 28 for metal plates 29, 29 whichare provided with bores 39 for screw connections 2. The plate 29 will beseen to be thicker than die plate 29' and to have a tapped bore 31 witha screw 3-2 located between the bores 30. The plate 2% constitutes anabutment for the screw 32 and when the latter is tightened, it pressesthe shell sections I, ll apart in the illustrated manner. The plates 29and 29' are held against loss by the screw connections 2 which in FIG. 3have been illustrated as already removed. As illustrated, both shellsections I and I are engaged by engagement of the plates 29, 29 in thepockets 28, 28'; the protector is opened by separation by at this pointalso.

FIG. 1 illustrates a protector according to the present invention foruse with a parallel splice, that is a splice in which the cables extendin parallelism with one another rather than in axial alignment. Again,the shell sections are identified with reference numerals I and II andprovided with a trapezoidal section Bill and at the other end with twocables 6 extending in substantial parallelism. The splice is identifiedwith reference numeral 37 and the shell sections I, I are connected bymeans of screw connections 2 with one another. Permanently plastomericropes or sealing materials are accommodated in grooves 38 provided inthe areas 3, 3 and extend to scaling elements 4 in the region of thecable entry. Each cable 6 is associated with two of the annular elements5, 5', with a supporting ring 7, and with a winding 9 as previouslydiscussed.

In the illustrated embodiment the sealing packing 4 is in form of a tapewinding the outer layers of which are accommodated by four grooves 20,2d each which constitute semicircles and are arranged between a middlehead 3% and two longitudinal grooves dill which constitute the ends ofthe circumferential groove 38. The grooves 49 are inclined to oneanother in the region of the grooves 26 2d and offset in parallelismwith and spaced. They communicate with the grooves 29, 2'1) and thesealing ropes of permanently plastomeric material communicate in sealingrelationship with the packings when the shell sections 1, I are pressedtogether to constitute a single sleeve-shaped protector. When this isdone the packings d enter into the grooves 26, 2G and the plastomericsealing material ropes are squeezed out of the grooves in part. Thepackings d are connected at their adjacent ends by sealing strips lllloverlying the bead 39 constituted by the opposite ends of the packings4. The grooves 29, 2t) are defined between ribs 42 of semicircular crosssection.

Each of the sealing rings 7 is accommodated in a semicircular recess 43of a transverse bead which in turn may be pro vided with grooves forribs 45 on the ring 7. The ribs 4-5 are formed on the circumference ofthe ring 7 which latter may preferably consist of nonrusting materialand have a springy characteristic. Thus, the ring '7 may be rolled outof a strip of material whose ends overlap one another and which may behalf as wide as the strip itself. The diameter of the ring 7 is sochosen that it exerts a pressure upon the cable jacket when the shellsections 1, l" are connected with one another, and thus acts apressure-relief for the cable.

The embodiment in FIGS. 5 and 6 shows that a shell section 1 issemicircular in cross section B-B, whereas the area along line C-Cmerges into two semicircular contours with lesser radii. A metallic foil21 is pressed into the material of the shell section 1 and is intendedto extend to the not-separately-illustrated sealing regions along theouter edges or sealing faces of the shell section 1, that is those wherethe grooves for the permanently plastomeric sealing material ropes areprovided. The cross-sectional changes over the length of the shellsection I provide folding contours 53 in the region of thecross-sectional changes and during the pressing of the material of theshell section 1 with the embedded foil 21, theinitially planar foil 21is so deformed that it will not tear at any point or become exposedexternally of the material of the shell section 1. The folded contours53 are arranged where substantial cross-sectional variations of theshell section 11 are necessary.

A metal foil 48 is shown in FIG. 3 as additionally being transverselydeformed in corrugated configuration. Beads of different height 50 and46 facilitate deformation of the foil during the pressing and can eitherextend over the entire length of the foil or, preferably, be providedonly in certain regions where they are most necessary.

As shown in FIG. 1, the finished-pressed shell section 1 is to have themetal foil 21 extend everywhere to the regions where the grooves withthe embedded permanently plastomeric sealing material ropes areprovided, so that in a projection normal to the elongation of the shellsection l, the embedded metal foil 21 will have a rectangularconfiguration. To obtain this it is necessary, as shown in FIG. 4, totake into account the different cross-sectional configurations of theshell section 1 in the flat metallic blank 47. Of course, theabove-mentioned corrugated deformations 50 and 46 may be provided andmay be advantageous independently of the configuration of the blank.

The foil may also be in form of a compound foil utilizing a metal layercovered on one or both of its major surfaces with a foil or layer ofsynthetic thermoplastic material. This facilitates adhesion of themetallic foil with the surrounding duroplastic material of the shellsections. It is pointed out that for manufacturing reasons the metalfoil 48 shown in FIG. 1 is provided on both its major surfaces withcoatings or layers 49, 49 of thermoplastic material in order to avoidthe danger that shifting might occur between the metal foil and looselyapplied thermoplastic layers. Such adhesion of the thermoplastic layersto the metal foil can be for instance accomplished by hot stamping ofindividual foil blanks, or by continuous deposition of the syntheticplastic on the metal foil in an extruder. As shown in FIG. ll it ispossible and in some instances advantageous if the marginal regions 51,51 of the foil 43 are not covered by the plastic layers or foils 49,49'. Thus, the foil 49, 49' is coextensive only with the major portionof the foil 48 but not with the circumferential marginal portions 511,51' thereof. In this manner the danger is avoided that the syntheticplastic material of the foils 4 9, 49'which is secured to the foil 48 atelevated temperatures and pressure-might be squeezed to and beyond theedge of the foil 48 and there form uncontrollably large or thick beads.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6 again a shell section is identified withreference numeral l which is provided with the areas 55, 55' formed withsealing grooves 52, 52'. Cinches So, 56 are provided between thesemicircular cross section of the section 1 and the adjacent marginalareas and serve, during the pressing of the section lto its finalconfiguration, to so deform the metal foil 21 that it becomes exposed atthe bottom of the sealing grooves 52, 52. The purpose of this is to assure that any mass of sealing material which is introduced into thegrooves will directly abut against and seal with the metallic moisturebarrier.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8 the shell section 1 is fixed by stamps of apressing tool 5d, 54 at its marginal portions 51, 51 for assuring itsprecise positioning during forming of the shell section l, in order toguarantee that the foil will become exposed in the grooves 52, 52 at thebottom thereof as discussed with respect to FIG. 6.

The transverse corrugation of the foil 48, as discussed above, is shownin FIG. 7. The projections 50 and 46 are clearly illustrated in thisFigure.

The configuration of the blank foil 21 as discussed above, in order forit to have a rectangular cross section in direction normal to theelongation of the shell section 1, is illustrated in FIG. 8 where thenecessary changes in the cross-sectional configuration of the blank 1have already been illustrated and taken into account.

Making the plastic layers 49 and 49 noncoextensive with the metallicfoil 48, so that the marginal portions 51 and 51' thereof remainexposed, as illustrated in FIG. 9.

The exposure of the foil at the bottom of the grooves 52, 52' due tocinching at 56 and 56' is illustrated in FIG. 10.

Of course, as will be appreciated, the use of grounding bolts or rods aspreviously indicated can serve to connect the cable jacket with shields,and the like, as well as grounding purposes, which can also beaccomplished for grounding the entire protector via copper braid, wireor the like. If metallic cable with additional outer plastic jackets areprovided, it is necessary to so cut back the outer jacket in the regionof the inlet or outlet to the protector as to prevent an entry ofpressure gas between the inner and outer jackets if this is to beavoided and, of course, if the system is to be monitored on the basis ofgas pressure fluctuations. The earlier mentioned markings are providedon the protector according to the present invention to indicate how farthe cutting-back should be carried out.

The shell sections 1 and 1 may consist of synthetic plastic material, aspointed out before, which preferably is of the type of material known asduroplastic and which may be reinforced with glass fibers. The embeddedmoisture barrier foil may be prefolded at desired locations prior to itsembedding in the material of the shell sections 1, l to facilitate andimprove its subsequent deformation during the fonning of the material ofthe blanks for the shell sections 1, l to their final configurat1on.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofconstructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in acable splice protector, it is not intended to be limited to the detailsshown, since various modifications and structural changes may be madewithout departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can by applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this inventionand, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims:

1. A cable splice protector, comprising a sleeve composed of at leasttwo elongated shell sections having abutting sealing faces and composedof synthetic plastic material; longitudinal grooves in said sealingfaces; permanently plastomeric sealing material in said grooves forsealing the junctures of said shell sections; and moisture barrier meansembedded in said shell sections.

2. A cable splice protector as defined in claim 1, wherein said barriermeans comprises at least one first foil of metallic material, and atleast one second foil of synthetic plastic material.

3. A cable splice protector as defined in claim 2, wherein said secondfoil is of thermoplastic material.

4. A cable splice protector as defined in claim 1, wherein said shellsections are made of durable plastic material; and further comprisingprotective external coatings on said shell sections.

5. A cable splice protector as defined in claim 1; and furthercomprising protective external coatings on said shell sections.

6. A cable splice protector as defined in claim 5, wherein saidprotective coatings are coatings of metallic material.

7. A cable splice protector as defined in claim ll, said sleeve having acable inlet and a cable outlet, and said grooves extending from one tothe other of said outlets; and further comprising additional groovesencircling said inlet and outlet, respectively, and connecting saidlongitudinal grooves.

8. A cable splice protector as defined in claim 7, said additionalgrooves comprising a plurality of additional grooves surrounding saidinlet and outlet in at least substantially parallel grooves spacedaxially of said inlet and outlet, respectively; and ribs betweenrespective ones of said additional grooves.

9. A cable splice protector as defined in claim 7; and furthercomprising annular sealing members accommodated in the respectiveadditional grooves and sealingly surrounding cable in said inlet andoutlet.

10. A cable splice protector as defined in claim 7; further comprisingcables partly located in said inlet and outlet, respectively, and havingan outer cable jacket; and support rings accommodated between said cableand cable jacket and clampingly retained in place by pressure of saidshell section upon said jacket.

11. A cable splice protector as defined in claim 7, wherein said inletand outlet are axially spaced, and wherein said shell sections, andthereby said sleeve, have opposite end portions which converge indirection towards said inlet and said outlet, respectively.

12. A cable splice protector as defined in claim ll, said shell sectionsalso having stepped outer surfaces including inwardly recessed sectionsprovided at said end portions.

13. A cable splice protector as defined in claim 12; and furthercomprising at least one groove provided in the respective recessedsection.

14. A cable splice protector as defined in claim 11; and furthercomprising cable clamps engaging said cable inwardly of the respectiveend portions.

15. A cable splice protector as defined in claim 11', and furthercomprising means engaging said cable outside of but adjacent to therespective end portions in pressure-exerting relationship.

16. A cable splice protector as defined in claim 1', and furthercomprising threaded nuts nonturnably embedded in said shell sections,and cooperating bolts for engaging the nuts of the respective shellsections and connecting the latter together.

17. A cable splice protector as defined in claim 1, said shell sectionshaving marginal portions in part with pocket-shaped recesses.

18. A cable splice protector as defined in claim I; and furthercomprising apertured tapped metallic reinforcing plates accommodatedbetween said sealing faces; and screw means connecting said plates andshell sections.

19. A cable splice protector as defined in claim 1, said sleeve having acable inlet and a cable outlet, and said moisture barrier meanscomprising foils embedded in said shell sections and provided in theregion of the inlet and outlet of said sleeve with folds.

20. A cable splice protector as defined in claim 1, said barrier meanscomprising at least one compound foil composed of a metal foil laminatedto a synthetic plastic foil.

21. A cable splice protector as defined in claim 20, wherein said2plastic foil is athermoplastic foil.

2 A cable splice protector as defined in claim 21, said metal foilhaving a main portion and a circumferential marginal portion; andwherein said plastic foil is coextensive only with said main portion.

23. A cable splice protector as defined in claim 22, wherein saidcompound foil is cinched along lines extending across said main portion.

1. A cable splice protector, comprising a sleeve composed of at leasttwo elongated shell sections having abutting sealing faces and composedof synthetic plastic material; longitudinal grooves in said sealingfaces; permanently plastomeric sealing material in said grooves forsealing the junctures of said shell sections; and moisture barrier meansembedded in said shell sections.
 2. A cable splice protector as definedin claim 1, wherein said barrier means comprises at least one first foilof metallic material, and at least one second foil of synthetic plasticmaterial.
 3. A cable splice protector as defined in claim 2, whereinsaid second foil is of thermoplastic material.
 4. A cable spliceprotector as defined in claim 1, wherein said shell sections are made ofdurable plastic material; and further comprising protective externalcoatings on said shell sections.
 5. A cable splice protector as definedin claim 1; and further comprising protective external coatings on saidshell sections.
 6. A cable splice protector as defined in claim 5,wherein said protective coatings are coatings of metallic material.
 7. Acable splice protector as defined in claim 1, said sleeve having a cableinlet and a cable outlet, and said grooves extending from one to theother of said outlets; and further comprising additional groovesencircling said inlet and outlet, respectively, and connecting saidlongitudinal grooves.
 8. A cable splice protector as defined in claim 7,said additional grooves comprising a plurality of additional groovessurrounding said inlet and outlet in at least substantially parallelgrooves spaced axially of said inlet and outlet, respectively; and ribsbetween respective ones of said additional grooves.
 9. A cable spliceprotector as defined in claim 7; and further comprising annular sealingmembers accommodated in the respective additional grooves and sealinglysurrounding cable in said inlet and outlet.
 10. A cable splice protectoras defined iN claim 7; further comprising cables partly located in saidinlet and outlet, respectively, and having an outer cable jacket; andsupport rings accommodated between said cable and cable jacket andclampingly retained in place by pressure of said shell section upon saidjacket.
 11. A cable splice protector as defined in claim 7, wherein saidinlet and outlet are axially spaced, and wherein said shell sections,and thereby said sleeve, have opposite end portions which converge indirection towards said inlet and said outlet, respectively.
 12. A cablesplice protector as defined in claim 11, said shell sections also havingstepped outer surfaces including inwardly recessed sections provided atsaid end portions.
 13. A cable splice protector as defined in claim 12;and further comprising at least one groove provided in the respectiverecessed section.
 14. A cable splice protector as defined in claim 11;and further comprising cable clamps engaging said cable inwardly of therespective end portions.
 15. A cable splice protector as defined inclaim 11; and further comprising means engaging said cable outside ofbut adjacent to the respective end portions in pressure-exertingrelationship.
 16. A cable splice protector as defined in claim 1; andfurther comprising threaded nuts nonturnably embedded in said shellsections, and cooperating bolts for engaging the nuts of the respectiveshell sections and connecting the latter together.
 17. A cable spliceprotector as defined in claim 1, said shell sections having marginalportions in part with pocket-shaped recesses.
 18. A cable spliceprotector as defined in claim 1; and further comprising apertured tappedmetallic reinforcing plates accommodated between said sealing faces; andscrew means connecting said plates and shell sections.
 19. A cablesplice protector as defined in claim 1, said sleeve having a cable inletand a cable outlet, and said moisture barrier means comprising foilsembedded in said shell sections and provided in the region of the inletand outlet of said sleeve with folds.
 20. A cable splice protector asdefined in claim 1, said barrier means comprising at least one compoundfoil composed of a metal foil laminated to a synthetic plastic foil. 21.A cable splice protector as defined in claim 20, wherein said plasticfoil is a thermoplastic foil.
 22. A cable splice protector as defined inclaim 21, said metal foil having a main portion and a circumferentialmarginal portion; and wherein said plastic foil is coextensive only withsaid main portion.
 23. A cable splice protector as defined in claim 22,wherein said compound foil is cinched along lines extending across saidmain portion.